Abstract: An iris imaging system used for biometric identification provides a combined iris imager and wavefront sensor. The detector array allows for independent readout of different regions, such that a wavefront sensor region can be read out fast while allowing signal to integrate on the iris imaging region. Alternatively, the entire array may be used for wavefront sensing during an acquisition phase, and then at least a portion of the array may be switched to be used for iris imaging during a subsequent imaging phase. An optical periscope optionally allows various optics to be inserted in front of the combined iris imager and wavefront sensor. In another embodiment, the glint image of an on-axis or near on-axis illumination source is picked off at the image plane and directed to the wavefront sensor optics, while allowing all of the light from the iris field to pass through to the iris imaging camera.

Abstract: A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. Light illuminates the subjects' eyes and a high resolution camera captures images of the irises. The images of the irises are processed by a post processing module to improve their quality. In one approach, the point spread function of the image capture subsystem is estimated using glint reflections from the eye, and the estimated point spread function is used in deconvolution to increase the resolution of the iris images. The post processed iris images have sufficient resolution to be used for biometric identification.

Abstract: A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. The captured iris images can be used for biometric identification. Light illuminates the subjects' eyes. Reflections from the eyes are used to steer a high resolution camera to the eyes in order to capture images of the irises.

Abstract: An iris imaging system used for biometric identification provides a combined iris imager and wavefront sensor. The detector array allows for independent readout of different regions, such that a wavefront sensor region can be read out fast while allowing signal to integrate on the iris imaging region. Alternatively, the entire array may be used for wavefront sensing during an acquisition phase, and then at least a portion of the array may be switched to be used for iris imaging during a subsequent imaging phase. An optical periscope optionally allows various optics to be inserted in front of the combined iris imager and wavefront sensor. In another embodiment, the glint image of an on-axis or near on-axis illumination source is picked off at the image plane and directed to the wavefront sensor optics, while allowing all of the light from the iris field to pass through to the iris imaging camera.

Abstract: A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. The captured iris images can be used for biometric identification. Light illuminates the subjects' eyes. Eye reflection from the eyes is used to steer a high resolution camera to the eyes in order to capture images of the irises.

Abstract: A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. The captured iris images can be used for biometric identification. Light illuminates the subjects' eyes. Reflections from the eyes are used to steer a high resolution camera to the eyes in order to capture images of the irises.

Abstract: In an adaptive optics module, wavefront sensing and data detection are implemented in a single device. For example, an optical-to-electrical converter converts a data-encoded optical beam to an intermediate electrical signal, which contains both the data encoded in the beam and also wavefront information about the beam. The data and wavefront information are later separated, for example by frequency filtering.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system includes an adaptive optical power regulator. The adaptive optical power regulator adapts to changes in effective loss associated with the free space optical path. In one embodiment the adaptive optical power regulator adapts to scintillation losses. In another embodiment, the adaptive optical power regulator further adapts to changes in atmospheric loss associated with changes in weather.

Abstract: In an optics system, a flexible mirror is deformed with an electromagnetic force. In one embodiment, an electrical current is directed through the mirror, or a conductor attached to the mirror, in the presence of a magnetic field. In one application in an adaptive optics system, the membrane mirror is used in a wavefront sensor. Deformed to oscillate between convex and concave positions, the mirror is used to alternately defocus a received light signal for determining aberrations in the light signal. By detecting aberrations in the light signal, the adaptive optics system can correct for those aberrations.

Abstract: A deformable mirror for an adaptive optics system includes a number of electrodes for causing deformation of the mirror. An insulating layer and a layer of conductive traces over the electrodes allow the connection points for the electrodes to be moved to a perimeter region of the mirror, which facilitates connecting the mirror to a circuit board or other equipment. In one implementation, the deformable mirror is coupled to a circuit board by a strip connector (e.g., a zebra strip connector), which is maintained in a compressed state by a retaining plate.

Abstract: A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying unipolar electrical voltages to electrode segments on the back of the mirror. Two plates of an electro-restrictive material, such as PZT or PMN, are jointed together. One plate has a pattern of a plurality of electrode segments on the outer surface with each electrode segment having a separate electrical terminal for applying a variable unipolar electrical voltage thereto for causing variable expansion of the plate and thereby selectively deforming that plate and, in turn, the deformable curvature mirror.

Abstract: A free-space optical data transmission system, comprised of first and second transceivers spaced a substantial distance from each other having telescopes aimed at each other. Each transceiver has a light transmitter for transmitting data-encoded light from its telescope to the other telescope, and a light receiver for receiving the data-encoded light from the other telescope. Each transceiver has a wavefront sensor for determining the curvature of the wavefront of light transmitted between the telescopes, which light wavefront may be distorted by atmospheric aberrations, a deformable curvature mirror operably connected to the wavefront sensor and positioned in the path of the data-encoded light for modifying the wavefront curvature of the data-encoded light in response to the wavefront curvature determined by the wavefront sensor. Preferably, each transceiver has an arrangement for distinguishing/separating the transmitted and received light waves for bi-directional data transmission.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system includes an adaptive optical power regulator. The adaptive optical power regulator adapts to changes in effective loss associated with the free space optical path. In one embodiment the adaptive optical power regulator adapts to scintillation losses. In another embodiment, the adaptive optical power regulator further adapts to changes in atmospheric loss associated with changes in weather.

Abstract: In an adaptive optics module, wavefront sensing and data detection are implemented in a single device. For example, an optical-to-electrical converter converts a data-encoded optical beam to an intermediate electrical signal, which contains both the data encoded in the beam and also wavefront information about the beam. The data and wavefront information are later separated, for example by frequency filtering.

Abstract: A free-space optical data transmission system, comprised of first and second transceivers spaced a substantial distance from each other and having telescopes aimed at each other. Each transceiver has a light transmitter for transmitting data-encoded light from its telescope to the other telescope, and a light receiver for receiving the data-encoded light from the other telescope. Each transceiver has a wavefront sensor for determining the curvature of the wavefront of light transmitted between the telescopes, which light wavefront may be distorted by atmospheric aberrations, a deformable curvature mirror operably connected to the wavefront sensor and positioned in the path of the data-encoded light for modifying the wavefront curvature of the data-encoded light in response to the wavefront curvature determined by the wavefront sensor. Preferably, each transceiver has an arrangement for distinguishing/separating the transmitted and received light waves for bi-directional data transmission.

Abstract: A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying unipolar electrical voltages to electrode segments on the back of the mirror. Two plates of an electro-restrictive material, such as PZT or PMN, are jointed together. One plate has a pattern of a plurality of electrode segments on the outer surface with each electrode segment having a separate electrical terminal for applying a variable unipolar electrical voltage thereto for causing variable expansion of the plate and thereby selectively deforming that plate and, in turn, the deformable curvature mirror.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a deformable mirror that has a peripheral mounting portion with oppositely facing and parallel mounting surfaces. A base member and a mounting ring have juxtaposed peripheral flange portions with rubber o-rings for engaging the parallel mounting surfaces of the mirror. A plurality of set screws are provided in the base member and the mounting ring in the peripheral flange portions and engage the o-rings for applying and adjusting a mounting force to the mounting surfaces of the mirror. The base member is also provided with set screws in the perimeter for engaging and centering the mirror.

Abstract: A free-space optical data transmission system, comprised of first and second transceivers spaced a substantial distance from each other and having telescopes aimed at each other. Each transceiver has a light transmitter for transmitting data-encoded light from its telescope to the other telescope, and a light receiver for receiving the data-encoded light from the other telescope. Each transceiver has a wavefront sensor for determining the curvature of the wavefront of light transmitted between the telescopes, which light wavefront may be distorted by atmospheric aberrations, a deformable curvature mirror operably connected to the wavefront sensor and positioned in the path of the data-encoded light for modifying the wavefront curvature of the data-encoded light in response to the wavefront curvature determined by the wavefront sensor. Preferably, each transceiver has an arrangement for distinguishing/separating the transmitted and received light waves for bi-directional data transmission.

Abstract: A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying electrical voltages to electrode segments on the back of the mirror. Two plates of an electro-restrictive material, such as PZT or PMN, are jointed together with at least one conductive layer sandwiched therebetween. One plate has an outer conductive layer and a mirrored surface on the outer conductive layer. The conductive layers are electrically grounded. The other plate has a pattern of a plurality of electrode segments on the outer surface with each electrode segment having a separate electrical terminal for applying a variable electrical voltage thereto for separately transmitting a variable current through each electrode segment and through at least the other plate for causing variable expansion of the plate and thereby selectively deforming that plate and, in turn, the deformable curvature mirror.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor for detecting the wavefront produced by light waves from a light source comprises optically refractory or reflective means for receiving the light waves from the light source and producing two defocused pupil images at two different locations along an optical axis. A detector is positioned at a location spaced from the two locations of the two focused pupil images for the detector means to receive and detect two equally and oppositely defocused pupil images. A computer with appropriate software processes the characteristics of the two defocused pupil images from the detector to determine the curvature of the wavefront based on the light intensities with Dirichlet's boundary conditions for the light waves received by the wavefront sensor.